The 15 dollar synth chip...

[gstopp at fibermux.com]

     Yessiree-bob it's in a 28-pin PLCC package and has the clock and data 
     output pins to feed a Crystal 4333 Stereo DAC (which is an 8-pin SMD). 
     Basically it's MIDI in, digital audio out, plus clock crystal and 
     power mode/reset pins. Bunch of wavetable ROM inside.
     
     Channel selection is not needed as it responds to all 16 MIDI 
     channels. All configuration is done with the standard controllers.
     So - no front panel, no switch options, just power, MIDI, and a DAC 
     chip. Oh yeah you need an opto for the MIDI in.
     
     GM sound quality cheesiness is not judged in the article, but it's 
     certainly worth messing with once it's available. It's not on their 
     web page yet (I looked yesterday).
     
     - Gene


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: The 15 dollar synth chip...
Author:  Troy Sheets <tsheets at xanadu.cyborganic.net> at ccrelayout
Date:    10/4/96 4:36 PM


I don't know exactly what you would use it for... but I was just reading 
in the latest issue of Electronic Design about a single chip that takes in 
direct, raw MIDI serial data, and puts out digital 44.1K audio signal. In 
beween, you have the complete, 128 voice General Midi spec (with an 
additional 47 percussion sounds and 32 note polyphony) and reverb and 
chorus effects... all controlable by standard MIDI data.
     
Add their DAC converter and about 5 discrete components and 
you have a complete GM sound module.
     
Price will be 15 dollars for the synth chip, in orders of 10,000:
     
Crystal Semiconductor Corp
512-445-7222
     
sounds like it could be a fun project :)
     
-troy
     
ps: This will be available at the end of the year.
     
     
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